TICKETMASTER TO USE AUDIO SIGNALS FOR ATTENDEE VERIFICATION; COLLECT DATA ON HABITS/PREFERENCES

Ticketmaster (LYV) has partnered with Cincinnati based start-up Lisnr, as it plans to use ultrasonic sound technology, known as smart tones, to power attendee verification. The signals, inaudible to 90% of humans, are sent from your cell phone as you approach the venue and are verified by scanner at the point of entry, expediting the entry process. Cost, efficiency, the need for fraud protection and the ability to gather data related to attendee habits/preferences, are driving the move to digital ticketing.

Howie Long-Short opines: I had to scan 13 tickets Saturday. This would have been useful, but I don’t see it having a big impact on the stock price.

Fan Marino says: Technology has caused a loss of jobs, privacy and interpersonal connection, but it is those ticket stubs, mementos of a bygone era, I miss most. Collecting StubHub (EBAY) printouts isn’t exactly the same.